British Industrial History

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and
manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 130,457 pages of
information and 207,683 images on early companies, their products and the
people who designed and built them.

1897 "The "Wells Light " has now become so common, and proved so satisfactory, that surprise may be expressed at its makers bringing out another high-candle-power oil light working on a different principle. The new light is not intended to replace the older one, but for use in circumstances where the 8 or 10 minutes needed for heating the vapouriser cannot be spared, as at fires, breakdowns, &c., where every minute of time becomes of serious import. The new lamp is a spray, and not a vapour lamp, and might accordingly be justly considered as a case of atavism, as the first of all the high-power oil lights was worked on this principle. The lamp consists of a reservoir containing oil and fitted with an air-pump, by means of which a pressure is maintained in the space above the oil. This pressure is then utilised to force the Oil up to the burner in the usual way. At the same time, however, a second pipe coming from the top of the reservoir leads air to the sprayer, which completely breaks up and shatters the oil as it flows from the burner. A pilot light fitted with a wick is kept constantly burning, and immediately the cock shown on the standard is turned the flame starts into full activity. Closing this cock puts out the flame instantly, so that the lamp can be used very conveniently for signalling purposes. The standard, with its oil and air tubes, can be completely detached from the air reservoir, the two tubes aforesaid passing into this reservoir through glands, which, on replacing the apparatus, only require tightening up for the lamp to be ready for use."[6]

Perhaps the most common of the early flare torches is the Wells "Unbreakable" No. 18 Kettle Torch Lamp. Typical of the type that predominated before the introduction of more modern lamps made from sheet metal. The body is a single iron casting as is the separate lid. Several variants existed including one with a twin wick. [15]

See Also

Loading...

Sources of Information

Mechanical World Year Book 1917. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p158

Mechanical World Year Book 1919. Published by Emmott and Co of Manchester. Advert p194